I have been trying some new recipe's lately and this is one worth sharing.

Black Bean Soup

1 medium onion chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 jalapeno chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
Three 15oz cans of black beans
1 quart reduced sodium chicken broth
1 can corn (mexican blend) - optional

Heat oil in large saucepan.  Add the onion, peppers and jalapeno.  Cook until veggies are soft then add garlic and cook for one more minute.

Stir in the beans and broth.  Simmer for 30 minutes.

Remove half of the soup and puree in a blender.  Add puree blend back into the pan with the other soup and stir in canned corn.

Heat until ready to serve.

Serve with salsa, cheese, sour cream, avocados, tortilla chips etc.


Tip:  This was my first time chopping up a jalapeno.  After I was done, my hands felt like I had burned them in hot oil.  I guess I missed the memo about wearing gloves when working with jalapeno's!

If you're learning and you know it shout Hurray!

You have all seen these before right?!

I know these Holiday cookies aren't a new trend as of this year.  Everyone joined the 'marbled cookie' craze last year!!

BUT....

I would just like to report that we are never too old, or too busy or too lazy or too clumsy to learn new skills.  We don't have to live in Utah where every woman on the block can weave her own wool!

Talented and Highly Motivated people are always posting tutorials on the web.  Sitting up to the computer is every bit as profitable as being taught by someone in the room.  Not to mention the fact that you can sit in your underwear while watching a tutorial but if you invite a talented friend over to teach you.....Well, gee, you have to clean the house, bake a treat AND have your makeup on.

After watching a tutorial on sweetopia.net, I was successful at producing These:

Other tutorials I have enjoyed this year include:

Making a Pine Cone Wreath

Crocheting Hair Bow Flowers.
and
Starting your Own Website.
(still in process on that one.  Not easy my friends, not easy)

All successful.  All fun.  All Rewarding!